The Allure Behind Gambling
From the jungle of casinos in Las Vegas to the high-roller experience of Macau, nobody can deny the magnitude of the gambling industry. In the background still, millions of people gamble online every day and there are betting sites for all kinds of sports. So, what is the psychology for humans’ crave for gambling?
Casinos Are Playgrounds For Adults
People underestimate how appealing and diverse casino games are. Casinos put effort into making sure everything in their four walls is stimulating: from visuals to sounds and even scents.
There is also a casino game for every type of personality. You can play slots in solitude or crowd around a roulette table. There are games geared towards beginners with a tight budget and games targeting whales and veterans.
Online casinos play a huge role in upgrading casino games in terms of pure entertainment value. Online slots nowadays look stunning with unique designs and themes, some even crossing over to other franchises. In addition, they offer exclusive games that land-based casinos don’t.
Live game shows are the prime example of this. Players have the unprecedented experience of interacting with the livestream like they’re joining a TV show.
Gamble To Socialize
Many people enjoy the social aspect of gambling the most. After all, if you frequent a casino, it’s easy to make friends with others there. This is why social casinos are on the rise, which basically means online casinos that have a focus on social interaction between players.
Financial Reasons
Most people at some point in their lives struggle with money, and instead of steadily improving their financial situation, some choose gambling in the hope of winning a life-changing prize.
This is, of course, a bad idea — gambling will only lead to losses in the long run. The crazy thing is that many people know this but still carry on, thinking they can be the 0.01% that will come home with a million-dollar jackpot.
The Adrenaline of Gambling
There is something thrilling about winning a bet — that feeling when you’re holding your breath as the river card is revealed. The dopamine that is resulted from putting your own money at risk is ultimately the backbone of gambling’s popularity.
The ‘high’ of gambling, as they call, can also be used to counter daily stress from work. Similar to video games and other forms of entertainment, when you’re inside a casino, you can be completely distracted from reality and just enjoy the moment.
The Frustration of Gambling
Believe it or not, frustration can be addictive. There’s a whole niche of video games made intentionally difficult to frustrate players and similarly, losing money in a gamble can be extremely frustrating. But many people come back because they become determined to get back the money they’ve ‘wasted’, not knowing they’re digging themselves deeper into a hole.
Besides, there’s an aspect of tilt and humiliation in play. Most gamblers don’t judge others, but you’re still afraid to look like a loser if you leave the table empty-handed. A good advice against gambling tilt is to realize the money you lost was actually spent on hours of quality entertainment so there’s no need for bitterness.
The Image of a Gambler
If you actually step foot into a local casino, you will see that most people there are just your average Joes. However, many people only see ‘gamblers’ on the big screen and these movies are inundated with idealized versions of gamblers.
These people wear expensive suits and sunglasses, arrive in limos full of attractive women, having the time of their lives. They’re not there after a miserable nine-to-five, they’re the ‘winners at life’. As a result, some people first turn to gambling simply because they were swayed by the media to think that gamblers are the symbol of coolness.
